Self-closing closure cap for collapsible containers



Nov. 17, 1959 R. B. VIDAVER 2,913,152

SELF-CLOSING CLOSURE CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS Filed May 23, 1957 aML INVENT OR.

United States Patent SELF-CLOSING CLOSURE CAP FOR COLLAPSELE CONTAINERS,My invention relates to selfeclosing closure caps for collapsiblecontainers and the like.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a closure cap ofthe foregoing character in which closure of the discharge aperture ofthe cap is automatically effected when a predetermined quantity of thetube contents has been expressed from the container.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a closure cap of theforegoing character wherein the pres sure of the contents in thecontainer acting on a movable element of the cap structure is utilizedfor effecting closure of the discharge aperture of said cap.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a verticalcross-sectional view of a closure cap in accordance with my invention,the same being shown in open discharging position.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on line 22 of Fig. l. I

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the cap structure inclosed position, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional viewillustrating structural features in greater detail.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicates generally a closurecap structure formed of a first element 6 and second element 7, bothelements being in telescoping relation and formed preferably of suitableplastic material, as by injection molding. The element 6 comprises ahollow cylindrical body portion open at the top with a depending flaredskirt 8 at the bottom and having internal threads 9 for cooperation withthreads of a collapsible container 10, such as a tooth paste tube. Adischarge aperture 11 of any suitable shape is provided in the wall ofelement 6 and immediately above the discharge aperture 11, there is abafile member 12 integral with the wall. The baflle may be substantiallysemi-circular in plan, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. Substantiallydiametrically opposite the aperture 11 there is provided, in the wallelement 6, a recess 13 for a purpose, as will be hereinafter described.

The second or movable element 7 comprises an inverted cupped memberarranged in telescoping relation to the first member 6. The element 7similarly is provided with a discharge aperture 14 which is adapted toregister with the discharge aperture 11 of the element 6, when theelements 6 and 7 are disposed in the relationship illustrated in Fig. 1,corresponding to the open position of the cap. The element 7 is providedwith a protuberance 16 and on the inner wall surface thereof, the saidprotuberance being received within the recess 13 and cooperatingtherewith to maintain the elements 6 and 7 in a desired relationship,wherein the element 7 is prevented from rotating relative to the element6 and the respective apertures 11 and 14 are maintained in verticalalinement. The protuberance 16 co-acting with the recess "ice 13 alsoserves to limit the axial movement of element 7.

When the elements 6 and 7 are in the relationship illustrated in Fig. 1the apertures 11 and 14 are in registration and provide a dischargeopening for expressing the contents from the tube 10. It will beapparent that immediately upon the application of pressure on the tube10 some of the contents in the tube initially will pass into the cavityof cap 5 and fill the same. Upon continued application of pressure someof the contents will be discharged through the aperturesll and 14.Concurrently, the pressure on the tube will be transmitted to top wallv, 16a of element 7 causing the same to move in an upwardly direction sothat .the wall portion of element 7 below aperture 14 is caused tocloseoff the aperture 11 and thus cut ofi the discharge of contents from thetube. The action is such that a measured quantity of contents isdischarged from the tube with each manipulation of the tube as abovedescribed. The baflle 12 afiords means for controlling the fiow ofcontents from the tube through the discharge openings.

If a quantity of contents greater than that normally delivered isdesired, the element 7 may be held down as with a finger to retain theapertures 11 and 14 in registration and prevent the element 7 frommoving upwardly.

Fig. 3 illustrates the normally closed position of the cap wherein thecontents are sealed off from contamination by extraneous foreign matter.In order to effect the discharge of the contents from the tube it isnecessary only to press down on element 7 to bring aperture 14 inregistration with aperture 11. It Will of course be understood that insuch downward movement of element 7 some of the contents within thecavity of the cap will be forced back into the tube. This of course doesnot in any Way affect the operation of the cap. Pressure on the tubewalls will then effect the discharge of the contents in theaforedescribed manner.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. Hence, I do not wish to belimited to the specific embodiment shown and described or usesmentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of myinvention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a collapsible container a selfclosing closure capcomprising an inner element having a cylindrical body open at both endsand connected at one of said ends to the discharge end of saidcontainer, an outer element concentric with said inner element andaxially slidable relative thereto, said outer element being closed atthe top, each of said elements having a side aperture, said aperturesbeing in registration when said outer element is in retracted position,a bafile in said inner element above the aperture thereof, saidapertures when in registration permitting the discharge of contents fromsaid container when the same is compressed, the pressure on saidcontainer during such compression being transmitted to said outerelement to move the same axially to close off the aperture of said innerelement and thereby prevent the discharge of contents from saidcontainer.

2. In combination with a collapsible container a selfclosing closure capcomprising an inner tubular element, an outer tubular element movable intelescoping relation thereto, said outer element being closed at theupper end, said inner element-being open at both ends and connected atone of said ends to the discharge end of said container, each of saidelements having a side aperture, said apertures being in registrationwhen said outer element is in retracted position, the said apertureswhen in registration alfording discharge of the container contents whenthe container is compressed, said outer 3 element when said container iscompressed being caused to move axially and automatically to cut ofi thedischarge of contents from said container at a predetermined point so asto provide a measured quantity of contents.

3. In combination with a collapsible container a selfclosing closure capcomprising an inner'tu-bular element, an outer tubular element movablein telescoping relation thereto, said outer element being closed at theupper end, said inner element being open at both ends and connected atone of said ends to the discharge end of said container, each of saidelements having a side aperture, said apertures being in registrationwhen said outer element is in retracted position, the said apertureswhen in registration affording discharge of the container contents whenthe container is compressed, said outer element when said container iscompressed being caused to move 4 axially and automatically to cut offthe discharge of the contents from said container at a predeterminedpoint so as to provide a measured quantity of contents, and

means for limiting the axial movement of Said outer element. v

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,326,053 Henry Dec. 23, 1919 1,502,298 Dyer July 22, 1924 2,124,841Young July 26, 1938 2,519,539 Bonkowski Aug. 22, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS13,691 Great Britain June 13, 1907 of 1907 I 861,066 Germany Dec. 29,1952

